Crock Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe (+ 6 Recipes)
Nagina Abdullah
MOLECULAR & CELL
BIOLOGY, UC BERKELEY
February 5, 2018
Here’s a roundup with some of the best healthy crock pot meals I’ve found, crock pot Chicken Tikka Masala. It was hard to choose which ones to feature. I was blown away by so many delicious possibilities!
Eating healthy is much easier once you unlock the power of the slow cooker (also known as the crock pot).
It’s an amazing tool for busy people because it saves so much time. If you buy pre-chopped veggies, it’s even quicker. Just open the container and dump it in. So EASY!
Using a crock pot also locks in all the savory flavors because it cooks slowly, and in a concentrated way.
Healthy crock pot meals take cooking a flavorful, nutritious meal from “No-can-to-do” to “Hey, I can do that!”
First, you have to try this AMAZING crock pot Chicken Tikka Masala from The Kitchn. It’s an easy “dump-and-go” recipe that is incredibly rich in complex flavor. I added a vegetarian option, too!
1.5poundsboneless, skinless chicken thighs(Or vegetarian/vegan 1 14 oz. can or 1 1/2 cup dried chickpeas soaked for 30 minutes to 4 hours or more)
1largeonion,diced
3clovesgarlicminced
1inch piecewhole ginger,peeled and grated
2tablespoonstomato paste
1-2tablespoonsgaram masala
2teasoons paprika
2teaspoonskosher salt
28ouncecan diced tomato
3/4cupheavy cream(or coconut milk)
Fresh cilantro,chopped
2cupscooked rice,to serve
Instructions
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and transfer them to a 3-quart or larger slow cooker.
Stir in the onion, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, 1 tablespoon of garam masala, paprika, and kosher salt until the chicken is evenly covered with spices.
Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices.
Cover the slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
Fifteen minutes before the end of cooking, stir in the heavy cream. If you prefer a thicker sauce, leave the slow cooker uncovered for the last 15 minutes.
Taste and add more garam masala or salt to taste.
Serve over rice with fresh cilantro sprinkled over the top of each serving. The tikka masala can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days or frozen for 3 to 4 months.
Notes
Optional:
If you have the time: Marinate the chicken in 1/2 cup yogurt for up to 6 hours. Shake to remove excess yogurt before transferring to the slow cooker.
If you have the time: Sauté the onions and garlic in a little olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet until softened, then stir in the ginger, tomato paste, and spices until fragrant. Transfer to the slow cooker with the chicken and diced tomatoes. This will give your tikka masala more depth of flavor.
Chicken breasts can be substituted for the thighs, although I find thighs hold up better over the long cooking and breasts tend to fall into shreds. Still delicious, though!
For a little of that smoky tandoori flavor, try using smoked paprika and roasted tomatoes.
You get all the goodness and the feeling of delicious tacos, and it’s pretty healthy too! You can serve with cornbread or tortilla chips for the family or guests if you like!
This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna from Eating Well is easier than baking it in the oven. You don’t have to precook, rinse and drain the noodles before layering them into the crock pot. That’s a time-saver.
3-4large portobello mushroom caps,gills removed (see Tip), halved and thinly sliced
1smallzucchiniquartered lengthwise and thinly sliced
28ouncecan crushed tomatoes
28ouncecan diced tomaotes
3clovesgarlicminced
pinchcrushed red pepper(optional)
15wholewheat lasagna noodles
3cupsshredded part-skim mozzarella,divided
Instructions
Combine egg, ricotta, spinach, mushrooms and zucchini in a large bowl.
Combine crushed and diced tomatoes and their juice, garlic and crushed red pepper (if using) in a medium bowl.
Generously coat a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with cooking spray. Spread 1½ cups of the tomato mixture in the slow cooker. Arrange 5 noodles over the sauce, overlapping them slightly and breaking into pieces to cover as much of the sauce as possible. Spread half of the ricotta-vegetable mixture over the noodles and firmly pat down, then spoon on 1½ cups sauce and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat the layering one more time, starting with noodles. Top with a third layer of noodles. Evenly spread the remaining tomato sauce over the noodles. Set aside the remaining 1 cup mozzarella in the refrigerator.
Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on High for 2 hours or on Low for 4 hours. Turn off the slow cooker, sprinkle the reserved mozzarella on the lasagna, cover and let stand for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
Notes
Recipe tips:
Tip: The dark gills found on the underside of a portobello mushroom cap are edible, but can turn a dish an unappealing gray color. If you like, gently scrape the gills off with a spoon.
For easy cleanup, try a slow-cooker liner. These heat-resistant, disposable liners fit neatly inside the insert and help prevent food from sticking to the bottom and sides of your slow cooker.
2-3serrano or jalapeno peppers,chopped (quantity based on level of heat desired)
1teaspoonsalt
1 1/2teaspooncumin powder
1/2teaspoonred chili powder
1tablespoongaram masala
7cupswater
6ouncestomato pasteadd only after almost done cooking
1/2cupchopped cilantro,optional
Instructions
Soak beans for 3-4 hours or overnight (beans can be soaked up to 48 hours) if you can find time. Soaking the beans reduces cooking time, increases absorption of minerals and also decreases gaseous enzymes. Drain and rinse beans after soaking.
Add beans, lentils, onions, garlic, ginger, and all spices and mix to coat the black beans. Pour 7 cups water into the crockpot. Set crockpot to cook for 8 hours on high. Note: All crock pots cook differently and cooking time should be adjusted accordingly (e.g., some crockpots may cook in 6 hours). Remember NOT to add the tomato paste until after cooking the beans (see next step).
When black beans are cooked (beans should be soft but not mushy), turn off crock pot. Add tomato paste and blend in with mixture. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes.
If you’re on a Paleo diet, you don’t eat legumes like beans and lentils. But don’t worry! There are PLENTY of easy protein-based healthy crock pot meals, too.
2cupsbaby red potatoes,halved or quartered if large
4boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4cupbalsamic vinegar
1/3cuplow-sodium chicken broth
1/4cuphoneyoptional
2tablespoonsgrainy Dijon mustard
1teaspoondried thyme
1/2teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoondried oregano
1/2teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2clovesgarlicminced
Freshly chopped parsley,for garnish
Instructions
In a large slow cooker, add Brussels sprouts and potatoes in an even layer and place chicken on top.
In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, honey, mustard, dried thyme, rosemary, and oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Pour marinade over chicken and vegetables. Scatter all over with garlic.
Cover and cook on high until chicken is fall-apart tender, 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
Garnish with parsley and serve with the juices.
Notes
A common recipe ingredient for protein-rich healthy crock pot meals is lean meat like skinless, boneless chicken or ground turkey. Vary your herbs and and spices for totally new flavor combinations!
A common recipe ingredient for protein-rich healthy crock pot meals is lean meat like skinless, boneless chicken or ground turkey. Vary your herbs and spices for totally new flavor combinations!
#6 Slow Cooker Pinto Beans
Here’s another slow-burning carb recipe. It’s a favorite from my Healthy Crock Pot Beans post:
Paula Deen shows us how to make pinto beans from scratch in this Food Network recipe. You can replace the pintos with any type of dried bean to change the flavor.
After washing and sorting the beans, soak them overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse the beans, and then add them to the slow cooker with the other ingredients except for the ham.
Cut the ham into chunks, and brown it in a separate skillet. Add the meat and drippings to the slow cooker. Cook on high until the beans are tender, at least 5 hours.
Beans and lentils are perfect for lots of diets including vegetarian or vegan. They’re a plant-based source of so many diverse health benefits. They have protein to keep you full and bulky fiber to keep your digestion going.
1/2bunchkale,(about 4 leaves) stems removed and chopped
1jalapeno pepper,chopped (optional)
2clovesgarlicpressed
1/2onion,chopped
1teaspoon salt
1teaspoondried parsley
1/2teaspoonpaprika
1/2teaspoondried oregano
1/2teaspoongarlic salt
1/2teaspooncayenne pepper(add more or less to desired heat)
1inchfresh ginger,minced or grated
6 1/2cupslow sodium vegetable stock OR water
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and pour in vegetable stock.
Cook on high for 5 hours, or low for 8 hours (low is preferred). Stir a few times throughout the cooking. If you like a more brothy soup, add in 1-2 cups additional stock.
Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt on the side (optional).
From crock pot Chicken Tikka Masala, to chilis and soups, to slow-cooked meats and savory, satisfying veggie dishes, your crock pot is your best ally for healthy, hand-off meals.
Have you used that crock pot your mother-in-law gave you? If you use your crock pot, what’s your go-to dish to cook? What inspires you to dream up new combinations? Let me know in the comments!
Nagina Sethi Abdullah, BA, MBA
Nagina Abdullah is a health coach for middle-aged women and professionals. She coaches women to boost their metabolism naturally, shed pounds and keep them off. Her work with weight loss clients led to the creation of Masala Body, an online weight loss platform that provides an easy and accessible system that helps women sustainably lose weight. She has helped over 1200 women successfully lose from 10-80 lbs and create a sustainable lifestyle change. Nagina earned her degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley.
Hi Nagina! I love your recipes and cannot wait to try them! I would love to be sent your “7 Easy Spicy Crock Pot Meals Recipe Book” when it is hot off the press!!! Thank you for all you do to help us get and stay healthy!!!
oh yes, I’d love a recipe book even though i don’t have a crock pot, but I’m pretty sure I can work out how to do them without. My biggest time saver is having a husband who’s brilliant at chopping veg, meat or whatever else I need doing 🙂
These sound great! I can’t wait to try out the tikka masala. I use my instant pot more than my slow cooker since it can slow cook, too. I like making soups in it. My current favorite is a taco soup. Bonus points that my kiddo loves it.
Woah! I can’t wait to make the Chicken Tikka Masala! And the idea that I can replace heavy cream for coconut milk makes my mouth water! The veggie lasagna and balsamic chicken are next but the Tikka Masala is top on my priority list, it’s my favorite Indian dish and I never knew how to make it, it seemed so complicated, but the crockpot recipe is PERFECT! Thank you!
These all look so good. Right now I have a cauliflower curry dish in my crock-pot. I plan on making a couple other dishes to go along with it for supper tonight. Would love other options for using the crock pot to put on meals that are then ready for when we return home from work. And it’s great especially on cold evenings to come home to a great meal already done!
I am loving the flavors you are creating. My husband and I have changed our eating habits back in 2013 and the largest challenge we have is getting the right flavors to make meals better.
Will definitely try in slow cooker. Have always made chicken tikka on stove and spent so much time but this is an easy method. please send me spicy crock pot recipe book.
THanks
Jas
I know, it takes so long on the stove!! this is so good. If you like spicy then add some red chili powder or cayenne pepper (maybe 1/2 teaspoon or to taste). I will send it to you!
These look wonderful and I love crockpot cooking! I can’t wait to try them, thanks so much for sharing 🙂 Looking forward to the new crockpot recipe book and finding out more about this eating plan.
I can smell the intoxicating aromas and taste these delectable dishes before I have made them!
And with every post I feel your enthusiasm, Nagina.
Thank you for being YOU & for your offerings…
Hi Nagina, thankyou so much for all information on spices, I’m so excited I lost 3 pounds last week. Having fun trying all your recipes and these look delicious. Can’t wait to receive your new book on crock pot meals. And I enjoy all your posts
Thank you for these wonderful recipes! I’ve got some new ingredients added to my grocery list and my crockpot is ready and waiting! I’d love to spice up our dinnertime, so please send me a copy of your new book when it’s available!
Your recipes sound wonderful! I have a few new items added to my grocery list and my crockpot is ready and waiting! I’d love to spice up our dinner time. Please send me your new book when it’s available. Thank you!
Thank you for these recipes, Nagala! I love my crockpot, and I will be trying some of these! But I do have a question, what exactly is garam masala? I love trying new things, so I’m excited to hunt it down and give it a whirl!!!
Hi Denae, great to hear! Garam Masala is a non-spicy spice blend of several spices, commonly including coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and more. Each brand is different. You can find this spice in any spice aisle, it is common now! You can use on so many things, it’s a spice blend so it’s an easy go-to flavor booster!
Hi nagina
Your recipes look delicious,i whould love a copy of ur book.pls send me the spicy crockpot recipe book wen its available.cant wait to make them.????????
Would love to receive the recipe book with 7 new recipes you so kindly offered! 15 minutes or less to prepare is music to my ears! Please send it to me…..thanks so much in advance!
I grew up with a no-spice mom (ulcers), and have added what I could with my own (picky) family. I’ve never had Indian food, but I’m looking forward to trying the Tikka Masala! Would love the new book when it comes out!
I love all your blog posts! I can’t wait to try and start cooking these recipes I know they will all come out delicious. Thank you for everything, much appreciated. 🙂
These recipes are sooo easy and full of flavor! The most amazing part is they are totally healthy! Thank you for the revealing the no-gas secret, truly appreciate. Thanks Nagina. Would love the 7 dish crock pot recipe book. Xo
Thank you Nukwase! For the 7 crock-pot recipes, enter your name and email above in the article or the pop-up box that comes up and I’ll send it right over!
Yum!! Love the masala! Thank you!
Awesome!! Thanks for your comment.
These recipes look delicious. I look forward to the “7 Easy Spicy Crock Pot Meals Recipe Book”
My family loves spicy!
Awesome – fun family!! I will send!
I can’t wait for the recipes. I love recipes and crock pot meals!!!
Hi Nagina! I love your recipes and cannot wait to try them! I would love to be sent your “7 Easy Spicy Crock Pot Meals Recipe Book” when it is hot off the press!!! Thank you for all you do to help us get and stay healthy!!!
Thank you Sandy!! I so appreciate your words. I will send it when it’s ready!
All these recipes look amazing! Can’t wait to try some! I would love to get the free Easy Spicy Crock pot recipe book! Thank you so much!
Thank you! They are SOOO yummy + healthy + easy. Let me know which one(s) you try out. I will send the book to you.
oh yes, I’d love a recipe book even though i don’t have a crock pot, but I’m pretty sure I can work out how to do them without. My biggest time saver is having a husband who’s brilliant at chopping veg, meat or whatever else I need doing 🙂
Awesome!! Will send it and amazing husband!
Hello. Would love to try out your new recipes. Guess I need to purchase a crockpot! Is there one in particular you recommend? Thanks.
Hi Nagina! I cannot wait to try the Chicken Tikka Masala recipe! That’s a family favorite! Please send me your new Easy Spicy Crockpot Book!
Awesome! Let me know how it is! I will send it!
I would love to receive the free spicy crockpot recipe book when it comes out. Thank you!!
You got it Mary Lou! Will send when it’s ready!
Sounds deliicious, can’t wait for my recipes!!! Thank you!!!T.
Yay! I’ll send them to you Theresa!
These sound great! I can’t wait to try out the tikka masala. I use my instant pot more than my slow cooker since it can slow cook, too. I like making soups in it. My current favorite is a taco soup. Bonus points that my kiddo loves it.
Thanks Stacia. How do you find the Instapot different than the crockpot? It takes less time, right?
Woah! I can’t wait to make the Chicken Tikka Masala! And the idea that I can replace heavy cream for coconut milk makes my mouth water! The veggie lasagna and balsamic chicken are next but the Tikka Masala is top on my priority list, it’s my favorite Indian dish and I never knew how to make it, it seemed so complicated, but the crockpot recipe is PERFECT! Thank you!
Awesome!! So excited for you to try it Tree!
I would like your new free crock pot recipes please. My husband enjoys spicy tasting foods!
Sure Charlene! Will send when it’s ready!
You are an inspiration on how food can be all at once easy, healthy and tasty! Keep going!
Thank you Stephanie! I really appreciate it!
These sound delicious, can’t wait to try them! Would love a copy of the FREE Easy Spicy Crock Pot Recipe Book when it’s ready. Thanks!
Got it! Will send!
These all look so good. Right now I have a cauliflower curry dish in my crock-pot. I plan on making a couple other dishes to go along with it for supper tonight. Would love other options for using the crock pot to put on meals that are then ready for when we return home from work. And it’s great especially on cold evenings to come home to a great meal already done!
Mmmm! Sounds good Dolores!
I am loving the flavors you are creating. My husband and I have changed our eating habits back in 2013 and the largest challenge we have is getting the right flavors to make meals better.
Wow!! That is so good to know!! Would more easy recipes be helpful for you – or more flavorful? Are both important?
OMG everything looks so amazing and simple!!! Thanks Nagina, I will be trying chicken Tikka Masala tomorrow
Will definitely try in slow cooker. Have always made chicken tikka on stove and spent so much time but this is an easy method. please send me spicy crock pot recipe book.
THanks
Jas
I know, it takes so long on the stove!! this is so good. If you like spicy then add some red chili powder or cayenne pepper (maybe 1/2 teaspoon or to taste). I will send it to you!
These look wonderful and I love crockpot cooking! I can’t wait to try them, thanks so much for sharing 🙂 Looking forward to the new crockpot recipe book and finding out more about this eating plan.
Awesome! Mara – what do you want in an eating plan? Easy, tasty, meat, veg, etc?
I would love you to send me the spicy crock pot cookbook when it comes out! Can’t wait to try these!
Yes! I will! Can’t wait for you to try them either Denise!
Definitely interested in the Crock pot recipe book.
Great! Will send when it’s ready.
I can smell the intoxicating aromas and taste these delectable dishes before I have made them!
And with every post I feel your enthusiasm, Nagina.
Thank you for being YOU & for your offerings…
That is soooooo sweet Debra!! Thank you!!
Can’t wait to try these recipes. They look great!
Excellent.
Hi Nagina, thankyou so much for all information on spices, I’m so excited I lost 3 pounds last week. Having fun trying all your recipes and these look delicious. Can’t wait to receive your new book on crock pot meals. And I enjoy all your posts
Wow! That is so great!! Thank you so much for your kind words.
I can’t wait to try these yummy recipes! And to receive the new Spicy Cookbook that’s coming out!
They all look so delishous. Can’t wait to try them
Hi Nagina! I don’t have a crockpot but this sounds amazing! Looking forward to the book, and I might just get that crockpot!
These recipes sound great. Can’t wait to try them and to get your new recipes.
Awesome!
Yes, please send me the spicy crockpot recipes when it comes out????.
You got it!
Would love to get a copy of your book because your recipes sound amazing.
Will send!
Thank you for these wonderful recipes! I’ve got some new ingredients added to my grocery list and my crockpot is ready and waiting! I’d love to spice up our dinnertime, so please send me a copy of your new book when it’s available!
Looking forward to recieving the Spicy Crockpot Recipe Book when it’s ready. These look great. Thanks.
Your recipes sound wonderful! I have a few new items added to my grocery list and my crockpot is ready and waiting! I’d love to spice up our dinner time. Please send me your new book when it’s available. Thank you!
I would love a copy of your book! Always looking for crockpot recipes to feed the family after a day of work, makes life much easier. Thanks!
These recipes are making my mouth water, and it isn’t lunch time yet.. lol I would love to have a copy of your book, please and thank you!
Nagina, anything recipe you put together is surely to become a winner at my house and of course I want to try them!! Thank you ????
Love hearing that Larissa!!
Thank you for these recipes, Nagala! I love my crockpot, and I will be trying some of these! But I do have a question, what exactly is garam masala? I love trying new things, so I’m excited to hunt it down and give it a whirl!!!
Hi Denae, great to hear! Garam Masala is a non-spicy spice blend of several spices, commonly including coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and more. Each brand is different. You can find this spice in any spice aisle, it is common now! You can use on so many things, it’s a spice blend so it’s an easy go-to flavor booster!
Thank you so much! I will look for it when I go grocery shopping tomorrow!
Looks class cannot wait to receive the cookbook
Nagina – I would love a copy of your crock pot recipes!!! Thank you.
Please send me the crockpot recipe book when it’s ready!
Love using the crock pot. Saves so much time.
I plan to make the Chicken Tikka Masala this week. I would enjoy receiving your new recipe book. Thank you for all the tasty and healthy recipes.
These recipes look yummy!
Hi nagina
Your recipes look delicious,i whould love a copy of ur book.pls send me the spicy crockpot recipe book wen its available.cant wait to make them.????????
I can’t wait to try these!!! Yummy!!
This is great particularly for winter and when you don’t feel like meat, I can’t wait to get my instant pot
Hi, I just bought an Instant Pot, I love these recipes but would like to see how to cook these meals this way. Thank you in advance.
Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes with us!
Just started learning how to use my Instant Pot. Your new recipes would be a terrific boost to my learning curve!
Just started using my Instant Pot. Your new recipes would give a much needed boost to my learning curve! Thanks.
So good of you to share good-for-us yummy recipes that are easy to manage in a schedule. Thank you!
Would love to receive the recipe book with 7 new recipes you so kindly offered! 15 minutes or less to prepare is music to my ears! Please send it to me…..thanks so much in advance!
This all looks amazing and more importantly doable. Thank you Nagina for the excellent work / excellent share!
Thanks for your kind words, Jules!
Nagina, thanks for these recipes. Can’t wait to try them all! Please send me a copy of your recipes for inflammation when it’s ready. Thanks again!
Sure Angela, you’re welcome!
I grew up with a no-spice mom (ulcers), and have added what I could with my own (picky) family. I’ve never had Indian food, but I’m looking forward to trying the Tikka Masala! Would love the new book when it comes out!
Hi Melissa, you are in for a treat!
New recipes would be great! Are they adaptable to not super spicey? Have to watch with my stomach.
Thanks
Hi Sondra, all recipes are adaptable to suit your taste for heat – The book will be on it’s way soon!
I love all your blog posts! I can’t wait to try and start cooking these recipes I know they will all come out delicious. Thank you for everything, much appreciated. 🙂
Thank you so much!
These recipes are sooo easy and full of flavor! The most amazing part is they are totally healthy! Thank you for the revealing the no-gas secret, truly appreciate. Thanks Nagina. Would love the 7 dish crock pot recipe book. Xo
Thank you Nukwase! For the 7 crock-pot recipes, enter your name and email above in the article or the pop-up box that comes up and I’ll send it right over!